#Local Dining

[10bmnews]

Are You Caught In A Tourist Trap? Here's How To Avoid It Next Time

Last Updated:June 26, 2025, 19:29 IST Avoid tourist traps by researching beyond popular spots, dining where locals eat, and exploring independently. Engage with locals for recommendations and authentic experiences. Tourist traps aren’t always easy to avoid. (AI Generated Image) You love the thrill of exploring new cities, discovering new cultures, and creating unforgettable memories. But each…

[theverdictloungeandrestauran]

Are you wondering why New Orleans is considered a top destination for food lovers? It’s not just the vibrant culture and music that make this city special—it’s also the incredible variety of food. Whether you’re a fan of classic Southern cuisine or want to try something new, New Orleans offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Let’s dive into what makes it so unique.

[wanderguidehub]

Exploring Shenandoah National Park: A Hiker's Paradise

Photo by Jim Fawns on Pexels.com Nestled within the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park stands as a natural treasure and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Encompassing over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness, the park offers an extensive network of trails that cater to hikers of all skill levels, making it a captivating destination for those…

[fiftysevenacademics]

I get the appeal of a road trip playlist carefully tailored to your musical tastes and your route, but the true road trip experience is listening to the radio, whatever stations you can get, and finding that one song that seems to always be playing every couple of hours wherever you are that becomes an indelible part of the experience.

[neiljohnsonphotography]

2) Dining Experiences. Apparently Edinburgh is full of the finest dining establishments Scotland has to offer. Except most people don't go to any of them because rents are so fuckin high and they are too fuckin expensive. Leave the tourist traps aside and seek out these locals favourite hidden gems instead!

[ssiggss]

Oh I'm cooking I'm not even mad I lost that first version I am in the kitchen SHREDDING that pan over max heat

[coochiequeens]

One silver lining in Trump being back in office is that this freak will be back in men's prisons

By Anna Slatz January 21, 2025

Court records have revealed that the state of Washington paid for a transgender child rapist to undergo “gender affirming” procedures while housed in a women’s prison in Gig Harbor. Brooke Lyn Sonia, formerly known as Brett David Sonia, is serving time for the horrific sexual abuse of a young girl.

Sonia was convicted on dozens of charges related to the rape and exploitation of a child. He had first initiated contact with the minor in Strafford County, New Hampshire, where he began sexually abusing the girl and photographing the lewd acts. But he would later transport the victim across state lines to Los Angeles County, California where he would continue to sexually exploit her.

Early news coverage from the case suggests that the girl, who was 13 at the time, had been groomed by Sonia into creating child sexual exploitation material. Jury selection in Strafford County was said to be “difficult,” with over one dozen potential jurors admitting they would not be able to sit on the case due to its highly disturbing nature.

As a result of the crimes being committed in two different jurisdictions, Sonia was tried in both California and New Hampshire.

In 2005, Sonia was convicted of 20 combined counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and possessing child pornography in Los Angeles County, California. The next year, he was convicted in Strafford County, New Hampshire, on charges of repeatedly raping the young girl and photographing the assaults. Many of the crime’s details were considered so graphic they were deemed “not fit for print” at the time.

As previously exclusively revealed by Reduxx, Sonia was ultimately handed sentences in both states, with the latter taking the lead in his prison term. After a minimum of 22.5 years are served towards his New Hampshire sentence, which maxes out in 2047, a Los Angeles County court will decide whether he is to serve additional time in California.

But after being incarcerated, Sonia wasn’t kept in New Hampshire. 

As part of the Interstate Corrections Compact (ICC), Sonia was sent to Washington to serve a portion of his sentence in 2016, one year after beginning to identify as transgender. The ICC allows states to share correctional resources, and move inmates to cross-border facilities which may be better suited to their needs. Sonia was moved between multiple male facilities in Washington, and left a trail of complaints and lawsuits with regards to not being given adequate access to “gender affirming care,” such as women’s underwear and laser hair removal.

In 2020, Sonia was offered a settlement in one of those cases promising him “gender affirming care” in a “reasonable timeframe.” After finally being moved into the women’s estate in 2022, Sonia was evaluated for multiple procedures, including breast implants, a vaginoplasty, and laser hair removal.

In 2023, Sonia launched another lawsuit, claiming he wasn’t being provided “gender affirming care” in a timely fashion in accordance with his 2020 settlement. Sonia claimed this was “cruel and unusual punishment” and violated his human rights.

But the Department of Corrections contested Sonia’s claims, and a rebuttal was filed showing that Sonia had received a substantial amount of “gender affirming care” on the taxpayer dime.

According to the records, Sonia underwent a “zero depth” vaginoplasty in May of 2023. This procedure involves rearranging the tissues of the penis and scrotum to create the superficial appearance of a vulva without creating an internal canal.

The Washington Department of Corrections also stated that they purchased Sonia a personal Intense Pulse Light hair removal device, which he was allowed to use in the WCCW medical facility. Following his vaginoplasty, Sonia was also referred for facial hair removal via electrolysis at a local clinic, and has been transported to regular appointments by prison staff.

In August of 2024, a court dismissed Sonia’s claims that a violation of his Eighth Amendment rights had occurred, citing the extensive efforts the Department of Corrections had made to accommodate Sonia’s needs for “gender affirming care.” The judgement was finalized and entered in December.

In 2023, a source with a family member incarcerated at the Washington Correctional Center for Women (WCCW) came forward to speak with Reduxx and pass on information from female inmates who claimed that Sonia frequently “changes” his gender identity, and has reportedly told some of the female inmates that he still identifies as a man.

Sonia is just one of a number of dangerous males currently incarcerated at Washington’s only women’s prison. Among them is Donna Perry, a serial killer who murdered 3 women in 1990, and Nonnie Lotusflower, who raped and murdered a young woman in 2007.

Like Sonia, Lotusflower was also provided taxpayer-funded “gender affirming treatment” after being housed at the Washington Correctional Center for Women (WCCW) in the form of breast implants.

In May of 2023, Reduxx learned from an internal source that Lotusflower had reportedly been “gifted” a Victoria’s Secret bra by the facility despite the brand not being an approved retailer allowed into WCCW.

[perfectplaces]

date night to see mean girls 🤩👭

[spaceandbones]

I swearrr to fucking god working in tourism. Your natural enemies become the viral insta food trucks that explode beyond your city and bring in tourists that ask you for things like a "famous seafood pizza" and you have no fucking idea what they're talking about. Im sorry my culture has never willingly put lobster and shrimp atop a cheese pizza. But I can help you find the food truck whose owner writes blog posts on the benefits of microdosing, and probably purchased a million instagram followers for the sole purpose of putting the famous seafood pizza on your homepage and making you think it was a traditional staple. If you want.

[walkingdetroit]

Fall in Midtown. 10/16/23

[milkbreadtoast]

EP 2 OF DUNGEON MESHI WAS GOOD... im enjoying this a lot😭😭

[wekillitwithfire]

jenny nicholson understands me and my love for theme parks and themed restaurants and themed hotels and essentially any heavily themed experience

[gayfranzkafka]

literally sitting here writing fanfic in the chair i wrote fanfic in during 2020 because i have been sick + therefore unable to leave the house for five days and well i'm not NOT #triggered

[local-queer-classicist]

It’s the time of year when all the stats students are sending out mass emails to get the student body to fill out surveys for their projects and why. do so many of them. ask the student’s gender. and then only. put. two. options.

I love quizzes and surveys. I was a tween/teen at peak buzzfeed times. I also enjoy pressing buttons. And democracy or whatever. Point is, I want to answer their little surveys about whether I like dogs (yes) or if I’m an only child (no) or if I think there are enough trees on campus (idk probably), but half the time I can’t finish the survey because there literally isn’t an option for me to select and I’m not giving them my data if they didn’t think that there should be a box to put it in. Both because I don’t want anything about me going in the boy or girl box and also because I don’t want to fuck up their data on which gender of student is more likely to enjoy cats vs dogs by putting wrong information on the form.

Anyways it’s just the time of year when I get most hit with the feeling of “you are so insignificant of a demographic that it didn’t even occur to the stats students that you might exist on a campus that is considered one of the most queer-friendly in the state, an admittedly low bar but still” which really is just a big shot of depresso espresso right before finals.

Like if you’re doing a survey where you specifically only want/need people with binary gender identities to answer at least say that up front so I don’t get excited about letting my voice be heard on the important questions like “what is the first letter of your name” and “do you like cheese” or whatever only to get to the last page of the form and see that I won’t be able to submit my answers. Kinda feels sucky man.

[thaliawashere]

Clarke Cooke House on Bannister's Wharf, Newport, RI. Great place to grab a bite after you win the America's Cup.

[westernportmarina12]

Discover the Best Hastings Café Experience at Westernport Marina

If you are searching for a welcoming Hastings café where you can enjoy great coffee, delicious food, and a stunning view of the water, then Westernport Marina is the place to be. Nestled in the heart of Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula, Westernport Marina is far more than just a place to berth your boat. It has become a community hub, where locals and travelers alike gather to relax, share stories, and enjoy a meal by the sea. Whether you’re starting your day with a fresh brew or meeting friends for lunch, our café offers the perfect setting.

A Café With a View

One of the most unique features of the Hastings café at Westernport Marina is its unbeatable location. Imagine sipping your morning coffee while watching fishing boats set out across Westernport Bay. The café sits right on the waterfront, offering panoramic views that change with the tides and the seasons. Sunrises are breathtaking here, and if you visit in the late afternoon, you might catch the golden glow over the marina as the day winds down. It’s this blend of natural beauty and relaxed coastal energy that makes our café so special.

Fresh Food, Local Flavors

When you visit a café, you want more than just a place to sit—you want food and drinks that truly stand out. At Westernport Marina’s café, our menu is inspired by local produce and the vibrant food culture of the Mornington Peninsula. From hearty breakfasts to light lunches, everything is prepared fresh and served with a smile.

Start your day with classic smashed avocado on sourdough or enjoy a fisherman’s breakfast packed with eggs, bacon, and seasonal sides. Lunch might include a grilled barramundi burger, a healthy salad bowl, or homemade pies that have become a favorite among our regulars. We are proud to source ingredients from nearby farms and suppliers, supporting the community while offering our guests fresh, flavorful meals.

Coffee Culture at Its Best

No café experience is complete without great coffee, and at Westernport Marina, we take our coffee seriously. Our baristas are trained to deliver the perfect cup every time, using carefully selected beans that highlight rich flavors and smooth textures. Whether you love a strong flat white, a creamy cappuccino, or a refreshing iced latte on a hot day, we have something to satisfy your craving. We also offer a range of teas, hot chocolates, and specialty drinks for those looking for something different.

A Gathering Place for Locals and Visitors

What truly sets our Hastings café apart is the atmosphere. Westernport Marina has become a meeting place for boaters, anglers, cyclists, and families who simply enjoy spending time by the water. Many customers stop in before a fishing trip or after a day exploring the coastline. Others come just to enjoy a peaceful moment with a book and a coffee. There’s always a friendly vibe, and our team loves getting to know both regulars and new visitors.

Events and Special Occasions

Did you know that Westernport Marina’s café also caters to special occasions? We often host small gatherings, birthdays, and club meet‑ups right here by the marina. With its stunning backdrop and delicious menu options, it’s the perfect setting for creating memories. Keep an eye on our calendar for seasonal events—live music afternoons, seafood specials, and community days are all part of the experience we offer.

Why Westernport Marina is More Than a Café

While our café is a highlight, Westernport Marina itself offers so much more. As one of the leading marinas in the region, we provide boat berths, maintenance services, and a friendly environment for boating enthusiasts. Many of our café customers are also boat owners or people exploring the marina’s facilities. This unique combination of services creates a vibrant waterfront community you won’t find anywhere else.

Plan Your Visit Today

If you’ve been searching online for the perfect Hastings café where you can enjoy exceptional food and drink in a truly beautiful setting, your search ends at Westernport Marina. Whether you’re a local resident, a traveler exploring the Mornington Peninsula, or someone looking for a relaxing stop on a road trip, we would love to welcome you.

Stop by in the morning for a hearty breakfast before heading out on your next adventure, or settle in for a long lunch while watching the boats drift in and out of the harbor. We’re confident you’ll leave with a smile—and we’re sure you’ll be back again soon.